St. Louis, MO's, KMOV-Channel 4 seems to be slowly gaining in on KSDK-Channel 5. This was revealed by the May 1997 ratings headline where it was further shown that the noontime race for viewership is at a deadlock. Since Channel 4's ratings have remained consistent since 1994, the decline in Channel 5's noon news viewers indicates that its regular viewers either watch other stations or turn their televisions off. Compared to May 1996's ratings, Channel 5's lead in the 10-p.m. news has also decreased from eight ratings points to three points. This development should prompt Channel 5 management that an efficient program alteration is being called for.